Leadership magazine Sept/Oct 2015 V45 No 1 - Page 34

Why
computer
science
matters
Mere access to technology won’t
bridge the digital divide. Students
need engaged computer science
learning opportunities to build creative
thinking, reasoning and problem-solving
skills that involve computing.
F
rom the arts and entertainment
to agriculture, healthcare or finance, computer science is driving innovation across all fields.
Computer science education provides an opportunity for schools to focus on the deeper
learning and problem solving that the discipline of computer science requires. High
paying jobs abound for students who have
computer science knowledge and skills, preparing them to create the new technologies
that drive California’s economy.
Over the last 20 years, states and school
districts have worked hard to bridge the
“digital divide” by increasing access to technology in schools and communities. But
mere access to technology and its existing
tools (such as smartboards and iPads) isn’t
sufficient. Students need to know how to use
technology, and they need engaged computer
34
Leadership
science learning opportunities to build creative thinking, logical reasoning and problem solving skills that involve computing.
However, computer science